Unaccompanied children who come to the United States seeking asylum are sent to federally funded youth immigrant shelters while they await their asylum hearings. When they turn 18, if they have no family with whom they can live, they are sent to adult detention centers. In our area, those centers are county jails.

Attend an event, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, about our asylum system and how Viator House, one of our church's partners in ministry, is offering an alternative. This nonprofit provides a home, educational opportunities, employment training—and much more—to these young adults when they turn 18, thus keeping them from being sent to county jails. We’ll hear stories from young adult immigrants, as well as learn more about how the immigration process really works. Please register in advance at link.fumcah.com/asylum.